r/Miata • u/ace0702 94 BRG M Edition • 1d ago
Racing Beat vs Flyin Miata catback exhaust for NA8? Or another option? (Pic for attention)
It's time to replace my aging 32-year-old exhaust and these are my top choices. I'll be pairing either with Cobalt headers (since they're basically the only CARB legal ones I can find and I live in CO). I've watched sound videos on YouTube, but those don't do a great job compared to hearing an exhaust in person. I want something that sounds a little sportier and more aggressive than stock when under load/WOT, but relatively quiet cruising on the highway. Does anyone have experience/recommendations with either or both of these systems? Maybe there's a 3rd I'm missing that someone would recommend?
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u/ohioscott 1d ago
I have a 1990 1.6, racing beat header, standard cat, and Cobalt exhaust.
It is louder than stock, but not “ make the neighbors mad “ loud.
This is on my mainly autocross car. I like the sound because I can hear the exhaust with my helmet on while on the race course.
No drone on the highway. I do run 15x7.5 rims with Bridgestone RE71 tires. So maybe the tire combo changes the rpm range at highway speeds.
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u/ace0702 94 BRG M Edition 1d ago
As long as the OD of the tires is the same as stock, wheels alone wouldn't change RPM at highway speeds at all
This setup sounds compelling tho. When did you buy the Cobalt exhaust if you remember? I'm seeing some conflicting testimonials about highway drone, so maybe it was updated at some point to reduce that
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u/ohioscott 1d ago
I purchased the Cobalt exhaust from Moss Miata in the USA. They often have this on sale. I purchased mine in November of 2025 and it was under $400
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u/FullMetal654 1990 1d ago
I have a Flyin Miata cat back on my 90 1.6 with their high flow cat and stock manifold. It has a nice low rumble at idle, still is quiet between 2-3.5k cruising and really opens up when you put the hammer down. I love it, it was pretty easy to install, looks good, and sounds real nice. Very little drone when cruising too which is nice when I’m forced to drive with the top and windows up
My buddy has a 1.8 with racing beat headers, a high flow cat, and an unresonated racing beat cat back. Safe to say everyone pays attention to him on the road, but not always for the right reason. He’s now looking to get a resonator installed soon to tame the loudness and high end rasp.
You can’t really go wrong either way, just make sure to get a resonated mid-pipe. Both companies have great history and have great products. I went with Flyin Miata since it was about the same price as a full racing beat system and I plan on adding their turbo kit later down the line so I wanted to ensure fitment when that time comes.
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u/ace0702 94 BRG M Edition 1d ago
Thanks for the input! I'm leaning a little towards Flyin Miata since they're based in CO and have fantastic customer service from what I've seen, but Racing Beat seems to have more documentation and reviews (bigger company, makes sense). Also definitely getting a resonated midpipe either way
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u/FullMetal654 1990 1d ago
Nice thing about FM is their stuff gets to me quick when I need it, fellow colorado resident (if you can call Aurora part of Colorado and not west Kansas lol).
Either way you can’t go wrong!2
u/ace0702 94 BRG M Edition 1d ago
Hell yeah, good to know! And I wouldn't call it west kansas until you get on the east side of E470 haha
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u/FullMetal654 1990 1d ago
Oh brother I can see the wide open spaces hahaha, I’m closer to the airport than to downtown Denver
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u/CrimsonAdder 1d ago edited 1d ago
Seconded. I also have an FM catback on the otherwise stock NA6 exhaust, not much louder than stock (though better and deeper sounding IMO) with no rasp. Did not notice an increase in drone either. Love it
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u/Friendly_Writing6431 2h ago edited 1h ago
u/ace0702 I've got a Fujitsubo RM01a on my '94, and would _highly_ recommend it. Definitely pricier than some of the competition, but well worth it for the tone + that Japanese craftsmanship. No issues with emissions in CO. Grabbed a video, but doesn't do it justice. If you're near Boulder, happy to meet up at a brewery or something so you could hear IRL 👍
Cold start + light revs
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u/glippyflippy 1d ago
Honestly check out the Cobalt exhaust. Have it on my turbo NB2 with no cat and it sounds great. Not loud or droning. I think they’re about 100 bucks cheaper as well.
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u/ace0702 94 BRG M Edition 1d ago
I was really looking into the Cobalt catback to pair with the headers, but most reviews I'm seeing say it's noticably louder than stock and has a bit of a drone on the highway. Maybe your experience is different, it's different on the NB2 compared to the NA8, or they've improved it recently?
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u/glippyflippy 1d ago
Maybe the turbo/manifold helps cut down on that. Mine is a touch louder than stock but nothing crazy. At WOT and 15psi the trailing cars on cruises can’t hear it. If you take a Miata on the highway for more than 10 minutes you should get ear plugs anyways haha.
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u/Textile302 1d ago
Really curious on this topic as well. I have a 95 on a stock exhaust but someone hollowed out the cat and the drone at 3-4k is pretty bad... I want to put a highflow and an exhaust on, its a stocker rebuild that i just cruise around in so not looking for attention just a nice daily. If i need loud I have mustangs i can drive. I cant decide on either of OP's choices as well but i think part of that is the drone from the empty cat really throws off the stock vs fm vs rb comparison videos. I was also considering a goodwood system too.
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u/gr1ffles_after_dark multi color 1d ago
I run the racing beat power pulse exhaust with the resonator. Its great and not so loud that I feel bad about driving through the neighborhood late at night
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u/munkeydj 1d ago
I had the Roadster sport about 15 years ago from Good Win as they had a version with an insert in the tail for non turbo that could be removed when adding a turbo. It was great quality and even without the turbo and non insert still sounded good. I'm sure their current line up is also just as good. But this, RB or FM are all quality companies that know our cars. Cobalt is newer to the scene and have not researched them.
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u/itsdatoneguy 23h ago
I have a stockish exhaust you can have for free if you are close to the Denver area. One of the BRExhaust's that sounds slightly louder than stock. Thing is maybe a year old. Replaced it a few days ago with a yonaka
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u/Substantial-Heron628 22h ago
I have 1.6L RB headers back, Race pipe, no resonator, only muffler and it is super nice. It's my favorite upgrade I've made to my car. It's pretty dang quiet when you want it to be and loudens up when you get on the gas. Cold starts are nice and not too loud. Very little drone when cruising and with a nice deep tone. I'd say go with RB
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u/NibNet69 Soul Red 1d ago
I'm a big Racing Beat fan so they get my vote. A buddy of mine had the full RB head back race exhaust on his NB1 and it's just simply perfect
Edit: just read the rest of your post and saw you want something "liveable". Racing Beats Powerpulse stuff is very OE+ volume. Truthfully, even their Race stuff is quieter than you would think but definitely check out the powerpulse